Friday, August 17, 2012

Easy Fast Cleaning Tips and Tricks

I have done several posts showing some tips and tricks to help make your cleaning fast and easy, and some have asked for all of these tips to be put into one post, so here we go.

First, you need the right tools to make it easy and these two cloths are my work horses for everything. You can find them at the 99c Store and the Dollar Store. I think a total must have.

This one is like a terry cloth type of fabric. It is microfiber, no lint and super scrubbing power.

This one is a jersey type fabric, no lint and has a rougher side and a really silky side. Unreal for windows, mirrors and polishing counters and sinks in the bathroom.

Kitchens are one area we have to clean all the time. One of the things people ask about is how to keep a stainless sink shiny. Water spots and scratches make them look so bad.

These are those tacky water spots that just don't wipe out with soap and water, and some fine scratches too.

The secret weapon for this and small scratches is a fine Scotch Brite from the Automotive Store. Not the same thing as your kitchen Scotch Brite. You definitely have to buy the one from Auto Zone or some place similar. Just ask for Fine Scotch Brite. They make several grades, but you want the fine.

Just scrub your sink with the Auto Scotch Brite and it will be good as new. IMPORTANT!!!!!! You definitely have to go with the grain of the stainless or else you will have a mess. You don't want to create scratches, you want to eleminate them.

Next is our counters. First you need to make sure they are super clean and all the grease and dirt are gone. The best thing to cut grease is Rubbing Alcohol. Yep, the stuff in the medecine cabinet. I know several of you use that all the time and Sunny @ Sunny Simple Life uses it and has done several different posts on how she degreases her kitchen blinds and other things with it. First I wash everything down really well with soap and water. I use a big heavy duty sponge. Then I put Rubbing Alcohol on another sponge and wipe the counters really well. Then I use the Buddies Microfiber cloth to scrub and dry them off.

Once your counters are clean, then you need to polish them. This will help keep them clean and keep dirt and grease from sticking to them. For Granite there are several different products, I like this one. Granite Gold, just spray and polish. Super easy and it feeds the stone too.

See how wonderful they look.

My back counters are formica. They are a leather texture and really grab onto any dirt or grease. I wash them with soap and water, then degrease them with alcohol and wipe them down really good.

Next I polish them with Furniture Spray Polish. This is a tip directly from Formica. Makes them look amazing and seals them so the dirt and grease doesn't stick.

If you have these cultured marble bathroom counters and sinks, after they have been cleaned, polish them with Furniture Polish and dirt and hair spray won't stick. Water just beads up. If dirt doesn't stick then less to clean up next time.

Now we have all those mirrors in the bathrooms and our decor, plus those windows that are a mess. Instead of windex, I use the car wash window fluid. It has some kind of chemical in it to cut the road grime, and it works wonders on the mirrors and windows.

Just fill a spray bottle - - - -

and use this jersey type cloth and you will be amazed at how easy. Scrub with the rough side and polish with the smooth side. Just swish, swish and you are done. Super easy. This is definitely the miracle cloth as far as I am concerned.

See this huge mirror, can you imagine how streaky it could look.

Plus see these windows, you can't even tell there is a window there except for the reflection.

Try these simple tips and I think you will find that your cleaning is a lot easier. Since we all have a ton of dirt and dust that was tracked in all summer, it's time to start getting cleaned up and ready for fall. Hope this helps.

Great tips, Marty! Thank you for sharing. I would have never thought to go to the automotive stores to get household cleaners. Your home is so beautiful and really sparkles. I like your new header pictures too. Have a lovely weekend!Blessings,Nici

Great tips Marty! Thank you. I will get some of those cloths as I sure don't like streaks on my windows and mirrors. Loved the tip about using furniture polish on clean bathroom countertops. I'm always fighting the hairspray that gets all over them.Be a sweetie,shelia;)

Marty I've been using the microfiber cloths for years. I love using them on windows and mirrors, no streaks!! Thanks to you I've also started using windshield wiper fluid instead of windex on our windows and it works like a charm! Thanks for the great tips!

Marty,Thanks for all the great cleaning tips!!! I could have used the one for windows and glass this morning...just cleaned the patio doors! I'll reference this great tip for next week! I agree about using furniture polish on my counter tops...once a week, every week, marvelous shine! Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend!Fondly,Pat

Great tips Marty. I use windshield wiper fluid too. Learned that yearsago when my son and his friend were detailing cars to make money. Ran out of my normal window cleaner so grabbed theirs and it worked so well have been using it every since. Also use the alcohol. Didn't know about the glass cleaning clothes will definitely have to get one of those. My hubby has one for his glasses and they work amazingly well on them, sothey must do the same on windows, that would be great. I used to use the furniture polish on my old countertops but forgot about it once I got the new ones, so they are getting older now, so will have to try that again. You can also pledge stainless steel sinks and it will cut down on the spotting or at least that is what someone told me years back. Have never tried it. Have tried it on shower doors and did helpkeep them much cleaner. Well, thanks for your neat tips, anything that makes housework easier ..........certainly is worth a try!!

Thank you for the cleaning tips! After 30+ years at being a domestic engineer ;-), I alwaysappreciate a tip! Didn't know about furniture polish on counter tops...guess what I will be doing tomorrow!! Have a wonderful weekend!

OMG! Marty!! Your cleaning tips could not have come at a better time! I have been working out of town for a couple of weeks, leaving my husband, two boys and a dog at home. needless to say- not much cleaning got done! Your post has rejuvenated my cleaning spirit!! thanks

Marty..this is SO great. Today Patient Husband put in our new stainless steel sinks..and I am delighted. Our counters are about 60 years old..so no worries there. But the sink has me worried. I have already decided not to put knives in the sink..and was wondering how to clean them. Hopefully if I am fairly careful there won't be any scratches. I do hope I didn't make a mistake choosing sthe stainless steel. Thanks for all the information. :) What would we do without you, Marty?Hugs,Mona

Thanks Marty!Those really are some super tips and I learned a lot! I never knew about the furniture polish on formica...thank-you!How are you holding up with the heat? I am sure your anxious for some cooler temps out there. We finally got some much needed rain and it's only been in the 70's this past week.Miss ya dear friend,Cindy

It Really Works, My Shower Doors Are Really Clean

About Me

Hi, I'm Marty. Welcome - Moving back closer to family finds us transforming our "Builder Basic" into a home that reflects our lifestyle. This is where I share simple design ideas, easy diy projects and thrifty and chic finds. Careful planning, and a sharp eye for design can turn any house into your dream even if you have a small budget. I share it all, the successes and failures. We love to entertain so you'll find a few tried and true recipes and entertaining ideas too.